As part of BXAI’s 10th anniversary celebrations, a series of “volunteer days” were organized by BX Alumni and Scholars across Asia as a way to build bridges with local communities and foster engagement, connection, and a sense of responsibility amongst BX community members.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers for contributing their time and effort to planning, organizing, and taking part in these volunteer days. Their hard work and dedication have made a difference in their communities, and each volunteer day served as a meaningful way to commemorate Bai Xian’s 10th anniversary while showcasing the power and unity of the BX community.
Seoul Alumni Chapter Takes Part in Neighborhood Enhancement Initiative
On April 13, BXAI’s Seoul Alumni Chapter organized a volunteer day for scholars and alumni in Korea to serve a hillside village in Yongsan-gu. Out of a group of six volunteers, three participants painted streetside murals featuring flowers and animals, adding a welcoming touch of beauty and vibrancy to the neighborhood. The other three scholars helped with renovations at the community center, which provides music lessons and academic tutoring to local teenagers. They cleared out old facilities, including air conditioners and kitchen equipment, making way for a new conference hall that will provide a valuable space for local youth to learn and grow.
After completing their volunteer work for the day, the team enjoyed a healthy lunch at a newly opened vegetarian restaurant nearby, concluding a meaningful day of outreach and community building.
BX Scholars in Shanghai Volunteer at Local Children’s Hospital
On April 14, BX Scholars from Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Zhejiang University visited the children’s hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s School of Medicine to serve young patients through creative workshops and interactive activities. The afternoon kicked off with a fun and engaging Asian culture trivia quiz, followed by a hands-on arts and crafts session where the children were taught to make paper cup octopuses and origami cranes. Towards the end of the session, children were encouraged to draw their feelings on heart-shaped sticky notes, which were combined to create collages to remember the day. Participating children were also gifted with cute night lights as a memento of the special day they shared with the volunteers.
Hong Kong Volunteers Reach Out to Underserved Children from Ethnic Minority Groups
Volunteer day in Hong Kong took place on April 20, and saw BX Scholars and the BX team serve at the Zubin’s Family Centre, which supports children from low-income, ethnic minority groups with special educational needs.
To get everyone warmed up, volunteers began the session with an energetic game of “Simon Says.” The BX team then kicked off the storytelling portion of the event, sharing a Cantonese tale called “Where is Tram Ding?”, which shows that everyone has their own strengths and there is no need to compare oneself to others. BX Scholars then shared “The Tale of the Sands,” teaching children that change can be a good thing, and that as long as they are brave enough to try new things, they can grow and learn. After hearing the two stories, the children were encouraged to draw pictures that reflected the lessons they had learned, or to simply express their imagination freely on paper.
It was a meaningful day where bonds were formed and joy was shared, and the BX team and Scholars look forward to the next opportunity to serve and volunteer together!
Beijing Scholars and Alumni Show Love and Care to Local Moms on Mother’s Day
BX Scholars and Alumni based in Beijing participated in volunteer day by collaborating with the GlobalMoms Initiative, a program that connects mothers from around the world with resources to promote physical and mental well-being. On May 12, BX volunteers stepped up to support the Initiative’s “Run4Mums” event, which aimed to advocate for women’s empowerment while giving mothers a chance to enjoy the great outdoors at Longtan West Lake Park.
While participating mothers took part in an invigorating outdoor run, volunteers took care of the children, engaging them in exciting games and activities. This allowed the moms to fully immerse themselves in the event and enjoy their time in nature. Volunteers also had an opportunity to share their thoughts on stage, expressing sincere gratitude and love for their own mothers in honor of Mother’s Day.
Tokyo Alumni Chapter Rolls Up Sleeves to Make a Difference
On July 5, the coordinating team of the BXAI Tokyo Alumni Chapter organized a trash cleanup day in Koenji in partnership with Greenbird, a project that believes “a clean city makes people’s hearts clean.” A group of BX Scholars and Alumni volunteered their time and energy to clean up the neighborhood, hoping to show how positive change and transformation can occur through collaboration, determination, and action. After the cleanup, volunteers enjoyed a delicious dinner complemented by a rakugo performance by local storyteller, Mr. Tadashi Sekizawa, bringing a meaningful day of bonding, community service, and culture to a close.